Which shopping option suits you

Buffet planners with an oven

You want to shop before the holiday and bake the rolls shortly before serving. Make sure the pack size, baking time and oven space will work for your buffet.

Hosts checking for allergens

You’re catering for several people and need to check the ingredients and allergen information for every variety you choose. As well as the grain used, possible traces of allergens may also be important when choosing.

Hosts who want to serve rolls without baking

You want to buy rolls from a bakery counter and put them on the buffet soon afterwards. Check the opening hours, available varieties and allergen information at your particular store in advance.

What to look for when buying

Packaged sourdough bake-off rolls

A good choice if: You’re shopping before the holiday and can use an oven for the rolls on the day of your buffet.

Bear in mind: You’ll need time and oven space to bake them shortly before serving.

Rolls from a bakery counter

A good choice if: You want to serve the rolls without baking them yourself and can shop shortly before serving.

Bear in mind: A bakery-counter roll isn’t a sourdough roll just because it’s fresh. Ask about the recipe for the specific variety.

First, decide when you’ll shop and whether you’ll be able to bake the rolls. Then compare the ingredients of the varieties actually available.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention
When you shop and serve Opening hours at your particular store and, for bake-off rolls, the baking instructions and available oven space. If you shop before Boxing Day and bake the rolls just before the buffet, you’ll need a reliable plan. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens The ingredients and allergen information for each variety; for loose rolls, check the information at the counter. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in every roll. Around 29% of consumers put these checks first.
Sourdough and grains The grains used, and the type and proportion of sourdough, if this information is provided. If you’re specifically looking for spelt or rye rolls for your buffet, the word ‘sourdough’ alone won’t tell you enough. For around 21% of consumers, the grain profile is the main deciding factor.
Variety and availability in store Whether your chosen variety is available at your particular store, and in sufficient quantities. For a larger buffet, I need enough rolls in the varieties I’ve chosen—not just a suitable product description. Around 21% of consumers put actual availability first.

Common preparation pitfalls

  • Assuming ‘sourdough’ means gluten-free

    Depending on the variety, the sourdough rolls described here contain wheat, spelt or rye. There may also be product-specific warnings about possible traces of other allergens.

    Check the information on the pack you actually buy. For loose rolls, ask for the allergen information for that specific variety.

  • Leaving your shopping until Boxing Day

    A particular store or variety of roll won’t necessarily be available on 26 December. For example, ALDI Nord lists its store on Bremer Straße in Verden as closed on 26 December 2026; this doesn’t tell you the opening hours of other stores.

    Check the opening hours of your chosen store. If needed, buy a variety in advance that you can bake on the day of your buffet.

  • Assuming a product page reflects what’s in store

    EDEKA notes that the rolls it describes may not be available in every store. For a buffet, you’ll also need to make sure there are enough available.

    Check the variety and quantity at your store before shopping, and read the pack information for packaged rolls.

  • Storing rolls in a way that won’t keep them fresh for the buffet

    How you store rolls bought in advance is part of planning your buffet. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends keeping bread and rolls at room temperature in a dry place away from light.

    If needed, freeze any extra rolls in individual portions. Throw away any baked goods with visible mould.

Brands and ranges to help you choose

REWE Beste Wahl und Back Bord bei REWE

REWE sells packaged sourdough rolls under these names, including spelt sourdough rolls from REWE Beste Wahl and organic wheat sourdough rolls from Back Bord.

  • For its spelt sourdough rolls, REWE lists spelt flour, 2% dried spelt sourdough and a baking time of around 9–12 minutes.
  • The word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t mean the rolls are artisan-made. Check the pack information and what your store stocks.

EDEKA Bio und GUT&GÜNSTIG

EDEKA describes an organic country roll made with rye sourdough, as well as Toscana rolls made with sourdough and olive oil. Ingredients and preparation vary by product.

  • For the organic country roll, EDEKA lists 2.7% rye sourdough and a baking time of 8–10 minutes at 200–220 °C using conventional top-and-bottom heat.
  • The organic country roll may contain traces of sesame. EDEKA lists possible traces of milk, mustard, sesame and soya for the Toscana rolls. These products may not be available in every store.

ALDI Nord

ALDI Nord describes a range of rolls and other baked goods that are baked several times a day in its stores.

  • The bakery counter is worth considering if you want to serve rolls without baking them yourself and can shop shortly before serving.
  • The general bakery range doesn’t tell you the ingredients or sourdough content of a particular variety. Check what your store stocks and when it’s open.

ALDI SÜD / MEINE BACKWELT

ALDI SÜD describes a selection of MEINE BACKWELT baked goods that are baked several times a day.

  • The range is a place to look if you want rolls for a buffet soon and don’t want to bake them yourself.
  • The range description doesn’t specify a particular sourdough roll recipe. Ask in store about the variety you want and its ingredients.

Joybuy products for your buffet

For a Boxing Day buffet, consider packaged sourdough bake-off rolls if you have oven space, spelt sourdough rolls for a distinctive grain flavour, or bakery-counter rolls if you’d rather serve them without baking. Check ingredients, allergen information and local availability before buying.

Frequently asked questions

Are sourdough rolls automatically gluten-free?

No. The examples described here contain gluten-containing grains such as wheat, spelt or rye. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose; ‘sourdough’ or ‘spelt’ is no substitute for checking.

How can I find out which allergens are in loose rolls?

Ask at the counter for the allergen information for the specific variety. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs explains that allergens which must be declared also need to be listed for unpackaged foods.

How long should EDEKA Bio country rolls go in the oven?

EDEKA recommends around 8–10 minutes at 200–220 °C using conventional top-and-bottom heat, or 180–200 °C with a fan oven, for its organic country roll. Follow the instructions on your pack and make sure you have enough oven space.

Can I buy the rolls before the buffet?

Yes, as long as you plan how to store them and, if necessary, bake them. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends keeping bread and rolls at room temperature in a dry place away from light. Any extra rolls can be frozen in individual portions.

Can I still buy rolls on Boxing Day?

Don’t count on being able to shop on 26 December without checking your particular store first. Opening hours and available varieties can vary. If you shop in advance, rolls with suitable baking instructions are one option for your buffet on the day.